MAPFORMATION
Mapformation is the industry leader in illustrative maps, serving over 400 institutions of higher learning, as well as a diverse range of international clientele including cities, corporations, ski resorts, and many others.
Business Need
The client desired a map-driven, visually streamlined site with very little text to distract from the power of the images. Virtually all business is attracted via the website, so user experience had to be smooth and easy to navigate through the wide range of portfolio pieces presented.
Key Challenges
- Organize hundreds of high-resolution images
- Allow for easy viewing with full zoom capability
- Minimize or eliminate image load time
- Integrate map locations, clients, artists, and categories of work to enable multiple search options
Solutions
The site utilizes a complex information architecture to accommodate the varying levels of organization and detail, including a custom back end system to enable dynamic content management and map integration. One of the unique features designed for this site is an easily updatable integration with Google maps, demonstrating where on the globe each project is located. Sanmita also built an automatically integrated email function that enables the receiver to know which specific map an inquiring writer has been viewing.
Result
An elegantly understated site that relies on icons rather than text for navigation, allowing the maps to take center stage. Browsing the maps is an enjoyable and informative process.
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